Betty Pompeo

Betty Lou Wilton Pompeo was born December 15, 1926 in Fort Smith, AR. She was the daughter of Anna Elizabeth Keener and Louis Raymond Wilton. After a lengthy bout with emphysema and COPD, Betty Lou passed away on January 22, 2013 at the age of 86. Betty Lou was actively interested in music, drama, and art since early school days. She majored in Music and Arts at Eastern New Mexico University, however transferred and graduated in the "Top 10" of her class of the University of New Mexico in 1947. With music as her passion, she went to New York for further vocal training over a seven year period. She took finishing lessons in Italy specializing as a dramatic soprano, singing several leading roles. Betty Lou also represented the United States at the International Flower Exhibition in Italy. She was a member of many professional societies and organizations such as Kappa Delta Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, Pioneer, Silver Key, and Euterpean. She was employed by Santa Fe City Schools as an art teacher for junior high school students. Betty Lou also possessed a great love of fashion design and was a very talented seamstress. She spoke French and German, however was particularly fluent in Italian, which lended to her affinity for singing opera. Her mother, Anna E. Keener, was a prominent Southwest artist and educator, and Betty Lou spent much of her growing years in Taos and Gallup, NM, and enjoyed her vacations at their summer home in Cabresto Canyon. Betty Lou married Ernest Pompeo in Taos, NM on December 22, 1954, sharing a common interest in gardening at their Cadiz Road home in Santa Fe. The Pompeos had always shared a keen interest in sports, both as spectators and participants, by attending many regional football and basketball games. They also enjoyed fishing and riding horses at their mountain home, as well as frequented Coronado Lanes in several bowling leagues. Betty Lou was a majority member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and received the Grand Cross of Color, the highest honor a Rainbow girl can achieve. While raising her daughter, she not only served as a board member for Santa Fe Assembly #10, but also served as a Room Mother for her daughter's classes. Betty Lou is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ernest Pompeo; her daughter, Tsenre Deveraux; son-in-law, Michael Deveraux; and granddaughters, Amber and Lauren Deveraux. Her twin sister was Lou Ann Wilton Hunt. She is also survived by cousin, Robert Linville and his daughters, Linda and Vickie; and niece, Baxanne Doyle and her sons, Kory and Kelly. Betty Lou and Ernest lived in Santa Fe since 1954 and relocated to Albuquerque in June of 2000 to be closer to their daughter and her family. Graveside services for Betty Lou will be held Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 1:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rainbow Girls Foundation of New Mexico, 9820 Signal Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122.